Nonprofit uses website to accept donations to help families in foster care system

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte nonprofit is using a new online platform to allow community members to pitch in and help families involved in the child welfare system.

Congregations for Kids is hoping people will sign up for notifications on it’s new portal.

The site lists photos and descriptions of items that social workers have identified will help families before or during a time a child is placed in foster care.

Advocates say this is a direct way for the community to get involved and people are answering the call.

[CLICK HERE for more information about Congregation for Kid]

The site allows you to scroll through to see current needs, including groceries or a gas card that would help a grandmother taking care of four grandchildren in kinship care. Another lists the need for a laptop for a new teen mom. Another photo requests a car seat to help a 3-year-old boy reunify with his mother.

Congregations for Kids launched the portal in December. By late March, more than 100 needs had been met through the site.

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Executive Director Nicole Taylor shared examples of how the donations help provide stability for families.

“Last week, we had a sibling group of four that were placed with a grandmother. And that grandmother only had one bed, and we found out through the social worker that four kids were sleeping in one bed,” Taylor said. “So how can we help again, stabilize that placement, get a couple of other beds so that they can have the best chance at thriving as a family.”

Taylor says they know many people want to find ways to help but also remain safe at home during the pandemic. They’re hoping people will visit the portal and help support local families involved in the child welfare system.

To learn more about the organization, click here.

Cox Media Group